16/02/2026
Did you know that February is national Heart Month. 💗
With heart and circulatory diseases responsible for around a quarter of all UK deaths each year, here are five practical ways to help people reduce their risk and feel healthier, fitter and more in control.
1. Manage your weight. Being a healthy weight is one of the key things you can do to support your heart health and losing just 5% of your body weight can reduce the risk of heart disease.
2. Limit salt intake. Eating too much salt can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which in turn is a risk factor for heart disease. Cooking from scratch and checking salt levels on labels (adults are recommended no more than 6g of salt a day) can help to reduce salt intake.
3. Cut down on unhealthy fat. High intakes of saturated fat for example fatty meats, butter, cakes, pastries can lead to high cholesterol levels and weight gain, so we’re advised to reduce our intake of these. Meanwhile including more omega 3 fats found in oily fish like salmon and mackerel, plus walnuts and linseed can be beneficial for heart health.
4. Fill up on fibre. As well as keeping our digestive systems working well, fibre can help with satisfying our appetite helping with weight management, plus some fibre-containing foods are particularly good for our cholesterol levels, such as oats, beans, peas and lentils.
5. Get active! Moving more is one of the most powerful things you can do for your heart. Regular activity helps lower the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And it all counts – a brisk walk, a cycle outdoors, a swim or class at the gym, even housework or gardening. Aim to include 1–2 strength building sessions a week too, to support muscle and bone health alongside reducing your risk of heart disease.
At Slimming World, we care about your health, your weight and your heart! Come join us! 💜💛💚💙❤💖
